Development & Peace

Sowing seeds of justice for women and girls in Nigeria

Doubly poor are those women who endure situations of exclusion, mistreatment, and violence, since they are frequently less able to defend their rights. Even so, we constantly witness among them impressive examples of daily heroism in defending and protecting their vulnerable families. – Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, 212

Supporting women and girls is a priority for Development And Peace. When 276 girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram from Chibok in Nigeria, our local Nigerian partner began working for their freedom, and has managed to smuggle three girls to safety. “The three girls, who were 17, 18, and 19 years old, still seemed to be under the effect of the swirl of emotions generated by the trials they experienced since their abduction,” states Raphael Yimga Tatchi, Development And Peace program officer for Nigeria. “Their voices and lost eyes betray deep pain… glimmers of humanity shine through only when they courageously recount the details of their escape.”

The Share Lent collection for Development and Peace is on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 22nd